United KingdomvsVietnam
Live 2026 data · Tuition, rent, visa, salaries, PR pathways & more
United Kingdom
50
GoScore
Budget/mo
$1,764
Salary/mo
$3,024
Vietnam
46
GoScore
Budget/mo
$420
Salary/mo
$520
AI insights unavailable
Study Abroad GoScore Ranking
GoScore 0-100 · Weights: affordability, PR pathway, safety, career & quality of life
Key Comparison Metrics
Public university tuition / year
Monthly student budget
Part-time wage / hour
Student visa fee
Post-study work visa
IELTS band required
Safety index
Quick Verdict - 2026
United Kingdom wins for students (GoScore 50 vs 46). A 2-year master's costs $15,080 in Vietnam - 83% less than United Kingdom, saving $72,616.
United Kingdom wins for working professionals (GoScore 57 vs 35). Professionals in United Kingdom retain $441/month after expenses - $598/month more than in Vietnam.
United Kingdom is stronger for permanent residence (GoScore 64 vs 48).
United Kingdom vs Vietnam: Complete Cost & Immigration Analysis 2026
Total Cost of a 2-Year Master's Degree
Total cost of attendance in United Kingdom - tuition ($45,360) plus living ($42,336) - is $87,696. In Vietnam: $15,080 ($5,000 tuition + $10,080 living).Vietnam is 83% cheaper, saving $72,616 over the degree.
Can Students Cover Rent With Part-Time Work?
In United Kingdom, 20 hrs/week at $14/hr earns $1,154/month - covering 92% of outside-city rent. In Vietnam, the same hours earn $224/month - covering 70% of rent.
Real Monthly Savings After Living Expenses
After rent, groceries, transport, and utilities, a professional in United Kingdom retains $441/month from $3,024. In Vietnam: $0/month from $520. Over 5 years the gap compounds to $35,880. Tech salaries: $5,670/mo (United Kingdom) vs $1,100/mo (Vietnam).
Permanent Residency Timeline
United Kingdom: PR pathway ~5 years. Vietnam: no clearly defined pathway. Post-study work visas: 24 months (United Kingdom) and 0 months (Vietnam). Student visa fee: $618 vs $25.
IELTS Score Required
Minimum IELTS band: 6.0 (United Kingdom) and 5.5 (Vietnam). Vietnam has a lower threshold - beneficial for applicants close to their target band. Take a free IELTS mock test on mockDe to benchmark your exact skill-level gaps before applying.
| Metric | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | 🇻🇳 Vietnam |
|---|---|---|
| Study GoScore | 50 | 46 |
| Work GoScore | 57 | 35 |
| Settle GoScore | 64 | 48 |
| Public university tuition / yr | $22,680 | $2,500 |
| Monthly student budget | $1,764 | $420 |
| Avg net salary / month | $3,024 | $520 |
| Rent 1-bed (city centre) | $1,890/mo | $520/mo |
| Post-study work visa | 24 months | 0 months |
| PR pathway | 5 years | 0 years |
| Safety index | 54 / 100 | 61 / 100 |
Fascinating Facts: United Kingdom & Vietnam
Understanding a country beyond spreadsheets - unique facts about each destination that shape the experience of living and working there.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
- 1.
The UK Graduate Route visa requires no employer sponsorship - graduates can work in any job for 2 years (3 years for PhD holders) after completing their degree.
Source: UK Visas and Immigration 2021
- 2.
Indian students surpassed Chinese students as the largest international student group in UK universities in 2022 - with 126,535 new visas issued.
Source: HESA 2022-23
- 3.
The NHS surcharge (£776/year) paid with a UK student visa grants full access to the National Health Service - comprehensive healthcare at minimal cost.
Source: UKVI 2024
- 4.
London has been ranked the world's top student city for 10 consecutive years by QS Best Student Cities.
Source: QS Best Student Cities 2024
- 5.
4 UK universities - Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, and UCL - appear in the global top 10 (QS 2025).
Source: QS 2025
🇻🇳 Vietnam
- 1.
Vietnam's economy grew at 7.1% in 2023 - the fastest in Southeast Asia - driven by electronics manufacturing (Samsung, Intel, LG all produce here).
Source: World Bank 2024
- 2.
Ho Chi Minh City ranks in Asia's top 10 startup ecosystems, with particular strength in fintech and e-commerce.
Source: Startup Genome 2024
- 3.
Vietnam produced 1.2 million university graduates per year in STEM fields as of 2023 - the fastest-growing STEM talent pipeline in Southeast Asia.
Source: MOET Vietnam 2023
- 4.
Vietnam's coast stretches 3,260 km - making tourism, hospitality management, and marine engineering uniquely important industries.
Popular Comparisons
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Data Sources
Editorial
Compiled by mockDe Editorial Team
Verified by IELTS-certified advisors with study-abroad counselling experience.
Freshness
Data reflects 2026 benchmarks.
Last reviewed June 2026.
AI verdict cached permanently; regenerated on data change.
All figures in USD. AI insights by Gemini Pro. Values are indicative - verify official sources before making relocation decisions.